Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: Dakine on December 29, 2005, 08:51:17 PM
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Hi All,
well due to my father being terminally ill it looks like I am coming back to ole blighty in the summer.
Kinda sucks, obviously as my dad is ill, but also as have green card which will lose (still couple years to be able to get citizenship here).
Anyway, music buffs, what should I stock up with stateside before my return? i.e. what is mega expensive/hard to get in ole blighty?
I have my Gibson Les Paul, will have to sell the marshall as it is no good on UK voltage.
Not heavy into pedals thus far, but did just buy a Dime Crybaby from Hell (as seemed best all round "metal" wah) for $115 new (bout 68 quid). So, any advice? Bear in mind am NEW to guitar playing so any good advice for future purchases is VERY valid. What I mean is, in times to come as I improve what "bread and butter" things would a player want in their arsenal?
Thanks,
Nick
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Sorry to hear about your dad.
If there's anything that is hard to find and expensive on this side of the big pond, it's the hand made BC Rich's.
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That's tough man, about you're dad. My 'rents have been reasonably healthy so far, but you know the day is coming ....
Anyway, I find that the "small electronics" are good buys whenever I hit the States. Pedals tend to be cheaper there, are easily portable, and there aren't usually any electricity issues :).
IMO a wah is the most important guitar pedal, but you've sorted your wah situation :). A lot of people like an overdrive/distortion pedal (to kick in a little boost on solos), though you'll have to try different stuff to see what suits your ears. Zakk used a Boss SD-1, now has his own MXR signature pedal. I like the tube screamer type pedals; the stock OD-9 Maxon seemed pretty good when I tried it, though my budget isn't ready for more pedals right now!
You could go totally nuts buying pedals, which is fun, but you would probably end up changing your mind later about what you really liked. But I'd say that, along with a wah and an overdrive, a delay pedal is useful; a lotta people go with a chorus pedal and a compressor as well. Oh, don't neglect a tuner! I swear that my Boss TU-2 is the most useful guitar/bass accessory I've ever bought :)
Getting away from pure guitar gear, the other most significant saving I made on a US purchase was on my USB audio interface (a Tascam US-122). It's small and portable and runs off my computer's power, and was markedly cheaper in the US than in the UK. This is the most important piece of kit I bought in the last year, since it lets be run microphones or direct right into my computer for recording purposes. Even if you buy a whole new computer in the UK, consider picking up your audio interface in the US! Sometimes (but not always) microphones are cheaper in the US (depends on the make). Use the web to check US and UK prices.
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Thanks to all,
yeah, is tough when family get ill.
My folks had me late (they are now in 70's, me early 30's). I always knew it would come and have felt guilty being so far away for a loooong time (only child) but it is NOT a problem. Time to come "home" anyway. My biggest hurdle right now is my best buddy Murphy, my dog. He has to go through 6 months of stuff to get his "puppy passport" to enter the UK with me.
Thanks for the advice.
As said, I got the Wah pedal. I am also looking at overdrive pedals now. Ibanez tube screamer looking fave right now but that re-issue sucker is kinda pricey lil bugger. Will keep looking. The Zakk sig. pedal sucks wind by the majority of reviews so will see. Am kinda shy on buying sig. stuff anyway, only got the Dime Crybaby from Hell due to ALL it does and the price.
Anyway,will keep y'all posted and thanks alot thus far.
Nick
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BTW, Ratrod, hmm, never been a fan of BC Rich. I am tempted by another guitar (not taking any lessons thus far though I kinda figure will catch HELL if bought another straight after a Gibson LP which was'nt cheap LOL). Also, thats a large expense right now, but a thought.
Been thinking more along the lines of a flying V, dunno, so many guitars. Hvae to say I am def. more a Gibson person (over here guess it's like the Ford,Chevy,Dodge war/debate) and would LOVE another LP but they are so $$$$$ and hard to find a "good" one. Evilbay aint what it was. Was looking at some ESP's, Jackson's and PRS SE's but all went too close to retail for my taste. The looking continues lol.
Nick
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Well, you could keep saving a little longer and get Feline to build you a custom guitar once you're back in the Yookay :)
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LOL
a Feline,hmmm
Know what, if I learn to play to the Standard that "pleases" me (dos'nt need to be pro level is what I mean, just as long as I am happy, although will ALWAYS be learning) then a custom makes ALOT of sense.
Checked the Feline site and the guitars are GORGEOUS!
I had a Original Warwick Streamer (exotic,through neck etc.) 2x USA Precisions and a Carbon Status, so when get into Guitar I am convinced I will want (need lol) summit extra special lol.
Nick
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LOL
a Feline,hmmm
Know what, if I learn to play to the Standard that "pleases" me (dos'nt need to be pro level is what I mean, just as long as I am happy, although will ALWAYS be learning) then a custom makes ALOT of sense.
Checked the Feline site and the guitars are GORGEOUS!
I had a Original Warwick Streamer (exotic,through neck etc.) 2x USA Precisions and a Carbon Status, so when get into Guitar I am convinced I will want (need lol) summit extra special lol.
Nick
I've got a Warwick 91 thumb bass and 5 string Warwick fortress, So I know where you are comming from there!
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Steve, bought my Warwick back in,hmmmm, bout '85. Local guy placed an add for it. Went round and strings still were oily from new lol. Had bees wax (unused) and all. Paid him 180 quid for it! LOL. The one thing I wish I NEVER sold!!!!!!!!
Oh Well.
Hopefully someone still plays and loves it.
Nick
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a Feline,hmmm. Know what, if I learn to play to the Standard that "pleases" me (dos'nt need to be pro level is what I mean, just as long as I am happy, although will ALWAYS be learning) then a custom makes ALOT of sense.
I know what you mean: I always wanted an LP, but didn't dish out until I had started with a cheaper electric (a Charvel, in my case) just to see how I got on with it.
Thing is, in the UK, the mark-up on imported guitars is so enormous. A new Gibson LP Std will set you back probably 1200 quid (Epiphones are much cheaper, of course). So someone like Feline will do you an LP-style for 500 quid more. OK, 500 quid is a lot of money; only slightly less than what I paid for my used Gibbo LP in the US (in 1993 or so). But for a new guitar in the UK, if you're prepared to spend in the GBP 1.5k+ range for a new guitar (which I'm not, but hey), then a custom guitar made by hand to exactly the specs you like actually starts to look very sensible!
My wife is keen to move back to Colombia in the next year or so (she's a lawyer there, but can barely get work here :(), though when I checked out guitar shops the last time I was over, the off-the-shelf stuff was mostly cheapo cr@p imports at what nevetheless looked like pretty brutal prices for local wages. Import tax mark-up and all that; I pity the kids who are saving up for that stuff :(. I heard about a few luthiers in Bogotá though, so I'll have to find out what their stuff is like :) . "Rock globally, buy locally" could be the way there.
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Well,
valid points all.
I am a diver and worked offshore as well for years but NO MORE, I wanna live a little longer lol.
So when I go back to UK will have to retrain/redo my Electrician Certs. Should'nt be a problem just time. Not that I relish the thought of being an Electrician really but heck, did the darn apprentiship so better use it, figure plenty of work too. My fiance (born and bred Texan) has a masters degree in accounting so she should have no worries with work either.
Know what ya mean about a quality guitar (although not exactly proficient player yet, know about some guitars). Had to look long and hard for a GOOD LP. Finally sourced one in Albany NY area from a very reputable dealer, long search though for somthing "apparently" so numerous.
Nick
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Steve, bought my Warwick back in,hmmmm, bout '85. Local guy placed an add for it. Went round and strings still were oily from new lol. Had bees wax (unused) and all. Paid him 180 quid for it! LOL. The one thing I wish I NEVER sold!!!!!!!!
Oh Well.
Hopefully someone still plays and loves it.
Nick
£180! you would be hard pressed to find one for less than £2000 now!
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yeah I know, why ya think I wish I still had it LOL
Also had some T C Electronics gear, both rack and pedals which I bought for a song, oh well. At the time and all that, as said just hope someone is caring for and playing her.
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OK
more questions
Overdrive/Distortion pedals???? Opinions? Ibanez tube screamer maybe? (is the reissue TS808 really worth that much more than the TS9).
Others?
Thanks,
Nick
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Steve,
black one on evilbay in the US right now for $1,700 buy it now!!!!!!!!!!
BooHoo, should've kept her
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Carlaz you are trouble LOL
Just been checking out Maxon pedals and sound clips.
LOVE the ROD881 (course I would, most bloody costly pedal they do LOL)
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Anyone evr play with a NADY TD-1? sound interesting also.
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OK
bored today so di some research on overdrive/distortion pedals and would like ANY and ALL input.
Thus far am thinking about
Maxon ROD 881
Nady TD-1
Fulltone OCD
Barber Direct Drive
TY
HAPPY ROCKIN' NEW YEAR ALL!
Nick
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buy a suit-case full of EMG Zakk Wylde sets for $150 each then flog them here for £150. You can then put the profit towards some BKPs and a custom Feline guitar. No need to thank me, I have my moments :wink: :lol:
:twisted:
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People like the Zakk Wylde sig. dist. and wah in UK?????????
Over this side of the pond the concensus is, they SUCK!
All are discounted and VERY easy to pick up.
The smart money is on the Dime Crybaby From Hell (which I just bought).
Things on most part do def. seem pricier in UK (for USA stuff anyway).
Trouble with bringing multiple stuff over is I am too nice a guy and would have trouble selling to fellow muso's for a profit ;)
Looking at Fulltone stuff right now :)
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Haven't tried the Zakk signature stuff (though I have the JH-1 wah that the Zakk wah is presumably based on). And I've not tried the Maxon pedals that include valves -- just the OD9 and OD808 (which sounded pretty damn similar to me, though I didn't A/B them in the same shop or anything!).
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People like the Zakk Wylde sig. dist. and wah in UK?????????
Over this side of the pond the concensus is, they SUCK!
You know everyone on here seems to love that ZW overdrive pedal! I tried one when I bought my current OCD and........erm........I thought it wasn't the best OD I've tried :wink:
I'd recommend the OCD. I've noticed a lot of people on Harmony Central lately getting real nit-picky with it after all the rave reviews but I'm pretty sure a good number of them are just trying to prove something.
''I've got a better set of ears than you'' etc.
If I had to nit-pick ( :lol: :wink: ) I'd say its a little on the thin side. I was torn between the OCD and the Crowther Hotcake at the shop, they both sounded very good to me.
I bet you could make a massive saving on Fulltone stuff if you bought it in the US.
On the topic of the Maxon R- pedals, these guy's views might be of interest: http://p203.ezboard.com/fofficialmatampownersclubfrm19.showMessageRange?topicID=8.topic&start=21&stop=35
Check out the posts further down the page, and bear in mind those Matamp guys are almost as picky as us BKPers!
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Yeah,
will check them out.
Actually found a shop in Houston which sells
Maxon, HBE and Fulltone so maybe go and check them all out is best bet.
Not tried the ZW pedals but know people here who have. They say they do what they say on box but thats it, very limited in their range.
Not that it's a boutique pedal but from reviews and advice I bought the Dime Crybaby as it is basically a 535Q thats hotrodded. I sounds awesome and is VERY versatile. Now, I would not say it is "pure" hendrix type wah but the possibilities are huge with it. It is monster well made (all metal) with a great lil red metal button on the side to actually kick for boost, and boy does it work. Apart from the camo paint job I am very satisfied with that pedal ( skateboard tape and all). Now looking for a good OD/Dist. pedal continues.
Dare say need to start hitting Pawn Shops too to see if can find anything interesting.
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Budda amps would go down well. The UK prices are insane!
Bring back a load of up to date Lost dvds and sell them on ebay :P
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I've heard good things about the Maxon OD820, too, though it actually costs more off the shelf than a Analogman-modded OD9!
Well, anyway, some tubescreamer variant is on my shopping list for the future, though I don't know if I'll go as far as boutique mods (maybe!). But two of my "tone touchstones" use Analogman-modded 'screamers: Trey Anastasio (who I like on the lighter end of tone) and Tony Iommi (who I like on the heavier end :twisted:), and I liked how I sounded with the Maxons I tried, so I guess it's all good enough for me ;).
Gotta choose my BKPs first, though!
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Why not get a Splawn amp? It has to be modified for the correct voltage etc. but what a sound and practically impossible to get in Europe.
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Looking at a HBE Big D now lol
Joel emailed me back with answer to questions just now, on New Years Day! Now THATS service/dedication!